You will never be left behind again, my love
Chapter Two : Friends again
Tori was exhausted. It was midnight and she couldn't wait to leave. Men were checking her out and trying to flirt with her. It was pathetic, really. She really was in no mood for that. She had talked to Sam on the phone on her way to work. Sam had invited her to hang out with everyone tonight, but Tory was working so of course, it was out of question. She was so happy to still talk regularly to Sam because this month particularly had been exhausting. She hadn't seen anyone, this month. Brandon had been right to be mad. She really had spent all her time working but it was for him. Soon, it was going to be his birthday and she wanted to buy him an amazing gift. All her money was going into the rent, and the babysitter, and the meds for her mom. A little was left for the groceries, not much, so sometimes, she brought back food from the restaurant so they could eat. Her boss was an amazing man, he loved her like a daughter, so he was understanding. But this month, she decided to work more because she really wanted to make him happy for his birthday. Unfortunately, it wasn't working like she had planned but she didn't lose hope. He would be happy and forgive her when she would get him the best gift ever. He was a child, he didn't deserve all of this. He didn't even ask for a gift because he knew it was expensive, but she knew how much he loved Harry Potter, so she decided to offer him a day at the Wizard Planetarium in Landon for a special experience, and a Harry Potter guided walking tour. But in order to do that, she needed a lot of money. That's why she was doing everything in her power to have all the money she needed. His birthday was in three months, and she almost had all the money needed and more.
" Tory ! " She turned around when she heard her name. Sam was here, with Miguel, Moon, Hawk, Demetri, Yasmine, the entire Miyagi-Do and also … Robby. She had trouble breathing for a second. She hadn't seen him at all these two last months. God, he was still as breathtaking as ever. How could a man be this gorgeous ? It wasn't fair. She didn't realize how much she had missed him until he was right in front of her. She had tried not to think too much about him but of course, it wasn't that easy. She took a deep breath and smiled.
" Hi. " Sam went to hug her. Tory accepted the hug with a small smile. She had missed Sam and everyone else. Who would have thought that she would miss Samantha LaRusso one day ? But here, she was. Missing her friend. And her smile got bigger when she saw her protégé, Devon. She had missed her too. " I'm so happy to see you. " She hugged Devon too.
" We wanted to see you, it's been so long. "
" You guys are so sweet. " She laughed. Everyone else got their turn to give her a hug. Well, except for Robby who was still looking at her like he didn't know what to do.
" Hi. " She had missed hearing his voice, it still had the same effect on her, apparently.
" Hi. "
" I didn't know we were coming to your place of work, otherwise I wouldn't have come. I'm sorry. "
" Oh … " Ouch. That hurt. But Tory just put a smile on her face and pretended it didn't. " It's okay. "
" Hey ! Nichols ! You think you can get back to work ?! You're not getting paid to chit-chat ! " The young woman sighed and turned around to look at her boss.
" I'm sorry, Jason. I'm going back immediately. " After seeing him leave, she looked at her friends with a sad smile. " I missed you, guys. I'm so happy to see you but I need to go back to work. "
" We're going to go dancing right now ! But we'll come sitting at the bar after so we can at least talk to you ! " Tory looked at Sam with a smile and nodded. No matter how long it's been, she still couldn't believe that they were friends now. It gave her a little something to look forward about the night, having her friends here. She had still two hours left and then, she could go home and finally relax. She was so tired, and she had hated the way she left things with her little brother.
" Hey ! Over there ! " Tori looked at a man who was sitting in one of the stools.
" Yes ? "
" Can I have a little of your attention, Sexy ? It seems like you're not doing your job very well. I'm sitting here for five minutes and I'm waiting. "
" Well, I'm here now so … What do you need ? "
" Well, first things first … Are you single, beautiful ? " Tori sighed. She didn't need this right now.
" Look, you said you were waiting for five minutes so what do you need ? "
" How about your number ? "
" Look, I'm just here to work so if you don't want anything to drink, then let me be. I don't have time for this. I'm not interested. Okay ? "
" Ouch. Don't you think you're being a little mean to me ? " He started to get up from his stool and go behind the counter, with her.
" Wow ! Back off, man ! Now ! " Robby had enough. He had stayed close to her, not wanting to dance with the others, and wanting to spend some time with her but now that he had watched the scene intently, trying not to punch the guy, he decided enough was enough. Tori had clearly told him she was not interested, and the asshole was not leaving her alone. He knew she could defend herself, but she was at work, so he didn't want her to get in trouble if she fought back.
" Who the hell are you, man ? Mind your own business ! "
" It is my business ! She told you she was not interested so back off ! Get the hell away from her before I punch you ! "
" Robby ! It's okay ! " Tori was surprised to see Robby. She thought he was with the others, but she was wrong, and he looked so angry right now. She didn't want him to get in trouble because of her. He didn't even want to be here, in the first place. So, the last thing she wanted was to see him in a fight because of her.
" Not before he apologizes to you ! "
" Stop this ! I don't need you to defend me ! " She knew she was being harsh but what was she supposed to do ? She didn't want him in trouble !
" Too bad ! You have me anyway, whether you like it or not ! "
" I … " She didn't know what to say. Robby used this opportunity to walk to the man and push him. Miguel had seen the scene and came back to try to stop him, but his brother was too mad to even listen.
" You, apologize ! Now ! Before I make you ! "
" You think I'm scared of you ? What are you going to do ? " Robby grabbed him by the collar and punched him, right in the nose. The man got scared and nodded, holding his nose.
" Okay ! Okay ! Jeez ! I'm sorry ! " Pathetic … but it worked. He let him go and the man immediately ran off, still holding his nose.
" Robby ! I can't believe you ! Miguel, why didn't you do anything ? "
" Well, I tried to stop him. "
" Really ? Is that what you call it ? Because if you wanted to stop him, I'm pretty sure you would've "
" Sorry, but that guy had it coming. If he hadn't back down, I would've gotten in the fight too so … "
" Wow … You guys are unbelievable. I could've lost my job if my boss had seen that ! "
" He didn't ! And honestly, I'm glad I did because he was not respecting you, Tory. "
" Robby, it doesn't matter because I didn't need for your help "
" Yes, you did ! I didn't want you to get in trouble at your job. I know you could've taken him down, yourself but I couldn't just watch that and say nothing. " Tori sighed.
" Plus, you know Robby ! He could've destroyed him. That was him being nice right now. "
" That's your argument ? Unbelievable … " She just threw her hands in the air, annoyed and left to take some air. These two, really …
He was here and he was getting in fights because of her. Great … Tori sighed. She knew she shouldn't be out now. If her boss saw her even take a break, he would lose it, but she really needed a minute to herself. It's been two months since she had seen Robby. He wasn't there the last times she had been going out with Miguel, Sam, and the others. It hadn't been that long but for her, it felt like a lifetime. She had missed him like crazy but working had helped her, not only to win more money but also because it didn't give her time to think about him. And now, he was back. And she still loved him just as much as she did two years ago. Unbelievable, considering all the time they had spent apart.
" I'm sorry. " The young woman closed her eyes and after a second, turned around to look at Robby. " I wasn't trying to get you in trouble, but I couldn't just watch this prick talk to you like that and do nothing. "
" I don't need any protection, Robby. I'm a big girl. "
" I know that. I know that you can take care of yourself, but you shouldn't have to. "
" Look, Robby, I've always been good at taking care of myself and thank God for that because at least, when people leave, and trust me, they always do, then I'm not disappointed. I know not to expect anything from anybody. I don't need anyone or anything. "
" That's a sad way of thinking. We all need someone by our side. "
" I don't. "
" I know that's not true. "
" Whatever. " Robby sighed and came next to her.
" I miss you. " Tori held her breath. She wasn't ready to have this conversation with him. " Please, can we at least be friends again ? "
" Why ? "
" It's been two years and I know I messed up. It's hard to forgive, but you forgave everyone else. Can you at least give me one more chance ? "
" You're not everyone. " Shit … She didn't want to say it out loud. " I mean … " Robby had a sad smile on his face. He cut her off.
" I know. I was your boyfriend and I really let you down. But I promise you, if you give me one more chance, I will never do it again. "
" Don't make any promises you can't keep. "
" I don't. This one, trust me, I will keep it. " She finally looked at him again and got lost in his beautiful eyes. If they couldn't be together again, they could at least be friends. Even if it would be hard for her, she would have him in her life. After a few seconds, she nodded.
" Okay. Let's be friends, then. "
Robby didn't reply. He just grabbed her by the waist and brought her body to him slowly. She gasped, surprised. Way to lose her assurance in front of him. Being this close to him again was making her feel a lot of things she didn't want to feel. They looked each other in the eyes and after a few seconds, Robby finally hugged her.
" I don't care if you punch me. I need that hug tonight. " Tory slowly put her arms around him and hugged him back. To be fair, she needed that hug too.
